Playing with rappers, mulling offers overseas -- players busy in lockout

"We're not going to let the lockout hold us back from going somewhere else to play, so I think with D-Will doing that, it was a big statement and a lot of guys are going to be looking to go there," Golden State's Wright said. "I think [his decision] jump-started the interest."

Leagues like the Drew and Goodman are benefiting from the lockout. Players can't use their team facilities and need trusted places to compete whenever the daily training regimen gets too dull. But while the Drew League has hosted NBA players since its beginning, the unprecedented amount of professionals coming Smiley's way is proving problematic -- even if it's a good problem to have.

"Now I'm in a situation, because it's a lockout, where we have a deadline on rosters and I have to freeze the roster this week, so I'm telling NBA guys to get down here [to avoid not being able to play]," Smiley said. "[Players have] said, 'The Drew League had a lockout, just like the NBA.' But we've got to find a way to get these guys in, because if we do a freeze of the roster this week and Kobe Bryant walks in, what am I supposed to do?"

The Drew-Goodman game isn't the only one being discussed. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Monday that an NBA group headed by Durant, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala and Mario Chalmers might play the Smart Gilas Pilipinas on July 25 and 26 in the Philippines. But exhibition games like these, one would have to imagine, can only fill the players' hoops void for so long.

Only time will tell how whether the overseas market is a viable option for more than a few players, but it has clearly piqued the curiosity of the masses. Most players are only interested in deals that include what should be deemed the D-Will clause, an opt-out that gives them the contractual freedom to return to the NBA when the lockout lifts.

In addition to Williams, Hawks center Zaza Pachulia is set to join Besiktas despite having two years and $10 million left on his contract. Yahoo! Sports reported that Bryant would consider international offers, and Wade told The Associated Press that he would weigh the idea as well. Durant can now be added to that list. His agent, Aaron Goodwin, told SI.com that he is exploring overseas options for his most high-profile client.

"If the opportunity presents itself and the lockout persists, he's going to have to consider it just as other players are considering it," Goodwin said. "Kevin has shown some interest to know what the situation is and we'll reach out to the players' association and make sure that they're aligned with the guys in case they do take an offer. But I think what you're going to see happening is a lot of players are going to look at the opportunity if the lockout prolongs that they can go somewhere and play basketball.

"If they're not allowed to play in the NBA, they've got to look at other opportunities. If you have teams that want you to play and the NBA is willing to sit out a year, why sit out a year?"

Goodwin said free agent Jamal Crawford has serious interest from two teams and is contemplating an offer from a Turkish club, though he wouldn't specify which one. It remains to be seen how wiling teams will be to offer the D-Will clause.

"So far in the conversations for Jamal Crawford, teams have shown [both a] reluctance and a willingness to have that clause in there," Goodwin said. "Obviously, we would never pursue it without a clause being in there where the player can opt out."

A league source said Iguodala also is considering an overseas offer. Evans told SI.com that he would think about the option depending on how long the lockout lasts. Ditto for DeRozan, who spoke for so many of his colleagues when asked how he sees that potential opportunity.

"It's definitely a consideration," the Compton native said. "Basketball is what I do."